By that time, most of their traditional work had been outsourced to other companies.

One aspect of the work of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop is the composition and realisation of signature tunes and incidental music for BBC Radio and Television programmes. Programme producers come to the Workshop with varying requests - it must be 'bright', 'catchy', 'sinister', 'modest', 'supernatural', 'funny', and so on but, most important, it must be unique in terms of sound qualities.

The Radiophonic Workshop is a 1975 compilation album by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, similar in concept to the earlier BBC Radiophonic Music of 1971. Unlike its predecessor though, it was far more synthesiser orientated. The music comes from all types of sources from serious drama and documentary to the "Major Bloodnok's Stomach" sound effect from The Goon Show.

Fourth Dimension is a 1973 BBC Records release featuring recordings created by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop composer Paddy Kingsland. It features theme tunes used by BBC radio and television. The music prominently features VCS 3 and "Delaware" Synthi 100 synthesisers, both from Electronic Music Studios (London) Ltd, with a standard rock-based session band providing backing . Volume 1: The Early Years 1963–1969. Volume 2: New Beginnings 1970–1980. Volume 3: The Leisure Hive. Volume 4: Meglos & Full Circle. Music from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.

Companies, etc.

Credits

Notes

Pye records distributed version.

Music heard on radio and Television (including Test Card Transmissions).

One aspect of the work of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop is the composition and realisation of signature tunes and incidental music for BBC Radio and Television programmes. Programme producers come to the Workshop with varying requests - it must be 'bright', 'catchy', 'sinister', 'modest', 'supernatural', 'funny', and so on but, most important, it must be unique in terms of sound qualities.

The composer then sets to work to create the tune using natural sounds, which have been manipulated in some way and cut together on tape, or electronic sources, such as the voltage controlled synthesiser.

Several such signature tunes are included on this record, composed by Paddy Kingsland, who joined the creative staff of the Workshop in 1970. Before this, he worked as a tape editor, then studio manager, chiefly for Radio One. He is a firm believer that instrumental sound combined with electronic and treated sound is essential for this type of work. The tracks on this record include compositions for Radio 1, 3, 4, Local Radio and Television programmes.

The synthesisers used on this disc are both British, and both made by E.M.S. of London. They are the VCS3, an amazingly versatile miniature synthesiser, and its big brother, the Synthi '100', known within the Radiophonic Workshop as 'The Delaware', after the address of the Workshop. This machine incorporates a digital memory that can be programmed via a conventional keyboard, and can store 256 events on 3 layers in any one 'run'. In combination with the multi-track tape recorder, it provides all the facilities of an electronic music studio, its range being limited only by the imagination of the person using it.

The specially created stereo is not an attempt at realism, but is used as a sound object in its own right.

Other versions

Category

Artist

Title (Format)

Label

Category

Country

Year

RED 93 S

BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Fourth Dimension ‎(LP)

BBC Records

RED 93 S

UK

Unknown

RED 93 S

BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Fourth Dimension ‎(LP)

BBC Records

RED 93 S

UK

1973

MOVLP1035

The BBC Radiophonic Workshop*

Fourth Dimension ‎(LP, Album, RE, RM)

Music On Vinyl

MOVLP1035

Europe

2014

MOVLP1035

BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Fourth Dimension ‎(CDr, Album, Promo, RE, Car)

Music On Vinyl

MOVLP1035

Netherlands

2014

RED 93 S

BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Fourth Dimension ‎(LP, Mon)

BBC Records

RED 93 S

UK

1973

Reviews (1)

Ka

The more melodic side of Radiophonic for sure, but none the worse for it. Worth it for Take Another Look alone ! Excellent LP in really vivid sound, some nice guitar parts here and there too !